Danger zone

MESSAGE not being delivered . . . this van narrowly avoids a postman on Retiro Street

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NEW road arrangements in the town centre have done nothing to alleviate the hazards of one of Oldham's most dangerous streets, local businesses have claimed.

Oldham Council put in place a new road system which, in theory, should reduce traffic on Retiro Street as drivers cannot use it to turn left and then right on to St Mary's Way. However, the changes have had little impact.

Retiro Street has become a source of anxiety for businesses after the traffic direction was changed to flow up from Union Street following the installation of Metrolink.

Grundy's Hearing Centre said they have had several near misses with their customers who are almost being clipped by vehicles as they leave and Paul Martin LH Painting and Decorating, is constantly helping customers with prams leave the premises safely.

Traffic should be diminished as drivers cannot use Retiro Street anymore to get on to St Mary's Way with access provided by using Greaves Street to go on to Yorkshire Street before turning left yet a Chronicle photographer snapped dozens of drivers ignoring the signs.

Both Grundy's and Paul Martin say the street is worse then ever and are urging the council to enforce the new road system or take other measures to reduce the dangers before someone is hurt.

Jean Grundy, owner of Grundy's Hearing Centre, said: "Our customers coming out of the door cannot see vehicles coming up on the pavement and we have to warn them, especially elderly customers. The no left turn markings have changed nothing, they're still turning left. Cars are flying up and shaking the windows it's that close.

"I have seen lorries knock wing mirrors off. People step out of our door and there are cars on the pavement. They'll have a much bigger problem when somebody gets hurt. The council have been warned."

Martin Hickey, of Paul Martin LH Painting and Decorating, added: "It's not getting sorted. It is so dangerous. Sometimes our customers have prams and we have to help them out because we fear they may walk out into a car.

"The new markings are not good at all. They make no difference whatsoever. Maybe put a sign up saying no entry except for access. I have seen roads before when they have had a no entry sign and that would be ideal.

"It is just a rat run. The most dangerous street in Britain."

Councillor Fida Hussain admitted that when new road layouts are introduced there can be teething problems and said the council was looking at measures to reinforce safe use of junctions and at the possibility of providing more access routes from Union Street.

"To coincide with the opening of the cinema we introduced a number of changes aimed at simplifying traffic movements and improving road safety.

"Vehicles are not allowed to turn left at the top of Retiro Street to access St Mary's Way. Carriageway markings have been painted at the top of Retiro Street telling drivers to turn right only.

"Unfortunately drivers are continuing to ignore road markings and signs. We are looking if further measures can be delivered to reinforce the safe operation of the junctions.

"We are also considering options to provide further access routes from Union Street, for example by reversing the flow of traffic on Queen Street. We are actively monitoring the situation to see if improvements can be made."